Customizing the firmware after assembly of an electronic postage meter

Abstract

A method and associated apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which program is capable of configuring the meter in response to configuration input messages, inputting configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with operating programs stored in the meter, storing the configuration input data in the assembled meter under control of the meter configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to provide predetermined meter functions, and denying further access to the configuration program prior to placing the meter in service.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of: storing a configuration program within the electronic postage meter which is capable of configuring the meter operation in response to configuration input messages entered therein;   storing operating programs within the electronic postage meter;   inputting input configuration messages into the electronic postage meter to select desired meter functions and provide input data for use with the operating programs stored in the meter; and   storing the input configuration data in the assembled meter under control of the configuration program for subsequent interaction with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter operation to provide predetermined meter functions.   
     
     
       2. The method recited in claim 1, including the step of: precluding further access to the configuration program and the storage of further input configuration data in the meter prior to placing the meter in service.   
     
     
       3. The method recited in claim 1, including the step of: providing an external channel for inputting the input configuration messages into the meter.   
     
     
       4. The method recited in claim 1, including the step of: providing a keyboard for inputting the input configuration messages into the meter.   
     
     
       5. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: the input configuration messages are stored in a non-volatile memory.   
     
     
       6. The method recited in claim 1 wherein: the configuration program is stored in ROM.   
     
     
       7. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message presets the ascending register.   
     
     
       8. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the number of settable banks.   
     
     
       9. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the number of decimal places.   
     
     
       10. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the number of phantom zeros.   
     
     
       11. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the type of meter.   
     
     
       12. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the meter for special requirements.   
     
     
       13. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets a lock out value for an ascending register.   
     
     
       14. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets the minimum decimal to be displayed.   
     
     
       15. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message provides external trip capability.   
     
     
       16. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: an input configuration message sets a procedural error.   
     
     
       17. The method recited in claim 1, including the steps of: inputting a lock out message into the meter after all of the data for establishing the meter configuration has been inputted therein;   preventing further access to the configuration program which establishes meter customization in response to the lock out message and therefore the storage of any further input configuration messages in the meter.   
     
     
       18. The method recited in claim 1, wherein: in input configuration messages are stored in non-volatile memory;   the configuration program is stored in ROM.   
     
     
       19. A method for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising the steps of: storing a configuration code in a ROM in the meter to configure the meter in response to input configuration messages entered therein;   storing operating programs in the ROM of the electronic postage meter;   inputting configuration messages into the meter for use with the operating programs stored in the meter;   storing the input configuration messages in a non-volatile memory under control of the configuration code for interaction with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation; and   inputting a lock out message into the meter after all the input configuration messages have been entered into the non-volatile memory to prevent further access to the configuration code.   
     
     
       20. The method recited in claim 19, including the step of: providing an external channel for inputting input configuration messages into the meter.   
     
     
       21. The method recited in claim 9, including the step of: inputting input configuration messages into the meter through a keyboard for the meter.   
     
     
       22. Apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising: means for storing operating programs for the meter and a meter configuration program;   non-volatile memory means capable of storing input configuration messages therein under control of the meter configuration program;   means for inputting input configuration messages in the meter;   means operating under control of the meter configuration program for storing the input configuration messages in predetermined addresses of said non-volatile memory; and   said stored input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means interacting with the operating programs of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus recited in claim 22, including: means for inputting a special instruction into the meter after all the input configuration messages have been entered in said non-volatile memory means to prevent further access to the meter configuration proqram and therefore any further entry of input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus recited in claim 23, wherein: said means for inputting a special instruction into the meter is activated prior to placing the meter in service.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: said means for inputting input configuration messages includes an external channel.   
     
     
       26. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: said means for inputting input configuration messages includes a keyboard.   
     
     
       27. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: said means for storing the operating programs and meter configuration program includes a ROM.   
     
     
       28. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages are capable of modifying data already stored in said non-volatile memory means.   
     
     
       29. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means preset an ascending register of the meter.   
     
     
       30. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the number of settable banks in the meter.   
     
     
       31. The apparatus recited in claim 22 wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the number of decimal places.   
     
     
       32. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the number of phantom zeros.   
     
     
       33. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the type of meter.   
     
     
       34. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the meter for special requirements.   
     
     
       35. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set a lock out value for an ascending register in the meter.   
     
     
       36. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means set the minimum decimal to be displayed.   
     
     
       37. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages stored in said non-volatile memory means provide an external trip capability.   
     
     
       38. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein: the input configuration messages set a procedural error.   
     
     
       39. Apparatus for customizing the firmware of an electronic postage meter after assembly, comprising: ROM means for storing an operating code for the meter and a meter configuration code;   non-volatile memory means capable of storing input configuration messages therein in accordance with the meter configuration code;   means for inputting input configuration messages into the meter;   means operating under control of the meter configuration code for storing the input configuration messages in predetermined addresses of said non-volatile memory means;   said stored input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means interacting with the operating code of the meter to customize the meter to provide predetermined meter functions during meter operation; and   means for inputting a lock out code into the meter after all the input configuration messages have been entered into said non-volatile memory means and prior to placing the meter in service to prevent further access to the meter configuration code and therefore any further entry of input configuration messages in said non-volatile memory means.   
     
     
       40. The apparatus recited in claim 39, wherein: said means for inputting configuration messages includes an external channel.   
     
     
       41. The apparatus recited in claim 39, wherein: said means for inputting configuration messages includes a keyboard.